The words “valance” and “valence” can sound similar, so it’s not surprising that writers often use one when they mean the other. In this post, we explain what each of these words means, and we provide helpful tips for remembering which is which.
A “valance” is a decorative piece of fabric designed to hide the base of a bed and anything underneath. It is also known as a “bed skirt”! For example:
Is there a valance to go with this duvet cover?
The twin beds in the spare room had matching floral valances.
In American English, “valance” can also refer to a short window covering that hides the top of curtains and their fittings:
A simple valance made the window look neat and up-to-date.
In British English, this type of valance is called a “pelmet.”
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
“Valence” is a term used in chemistry to denote the capacity of atoms to combine with other atoms. For example, you might use it as follows:
The valence of nitrogen is 3.
In psychology, meanwhile, “valence” is another word for hedonic tone. It refers to the pleasantness or unpleasantness of an object, situation, or emotion. For example, an unpleasant emotion like fear has “negative valence.”
Because these words are homophones (i.e, they sound similar) and have similar spellings, it can be easy to get them confused. Remember:
If you’re writing about soft furnishings, keep in mind that a valance can add to the elegance of a room. Hopefully, the identical endings of the words valance and elegance will remind you of the correct spelling to use.
Valence, on the other hand, has the same ending as science, so if your subject matter is chemistry or psychology, valence is more likely to be the word you need.
Hopefully, this will help you spell these words correctly. It’s always a good idea to get a proofreader to check your work if you want to be sure it is error free, though! You can even send us 500-word sample document for free.
Δ
5-minute read
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
4-minute read
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...